aCCREDITATION WITH lta

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. “The people of southwest Virginia can rest assured that the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is protecting the places they love forever,” said Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Executive Director David Perry. “Accreditation shows that we operate the land conservancy to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Blue Ridge Land Conservancy complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/tips-and-tools/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on Blue Ridge Land Conservancy’s application will be most useful by October 31, 2015.